Sleevefornellie

I am 16 months out. I never made goal I still need to lose 40 pounds . My lowest weight was 173 in August. I had gained weight and was at 187 at my dr. Visit last week. Needless to say my surgeon challenged me to lose 10 pounds in two months. Told him I thouj my sleeve was broken. Turns out I have been grazing. I kept saying few snack won't hurt me. They have killed me and Im so mad at myself. I'm going to Paris in June and want to look fab.
This week went back to basics and have lost 6 pounds since monday. I have gone back to basics as everyone on here suggested and it works. 1 Protein shake in morning , greek yogurt for lunch. Lean Protein for snack when get home from work. Additional lean protein around 7 pm. Also have gotten in all my Water something I never did before. Keeping my carbs at 20 grams and my protein at 90. I am so grateful. That I have this forum to see that I'm not alone on this journey

You look like a totally different person! I'll bet you feel like one too! Congratulations on your weight loss! Don't ever turn back!

My photographer friend asked me if I would model for her boudoir portfolio. I said yes because I thought it would be a good way to Celebrate myself now. Still, it's shocking this is me. I still feel fat sometimes and I admit these make me feel really good!!
    
Me before:

Fantastic results!!!!! Congrats to you!!!!

@@OutsideMatchInside, thanks. I'm loathe to use reddit as the one other gentleman I found there who had submitted something similar received a great deal of bile and venom from those on the site - I'm not in a place where I'm resilient enough to take that right now.

I am sorry you are going through this. My EX was not gay but had no interest in physical intimacy of any kind. There were signs early on, but over the years it became soul crushing to not be hugged, kissed or receiving any intimacy. i blamed it on my obesity for a long time, but turns out that WASN'T it. I have no answer for it because I still care deeply for him, still miss him. I am single now and at times regret that decision, but truth is I was so terribly lonely being in a relationship where i felt neither part of a couple nor free to be single. This was way beyond the sex part, it was the whole way we interrelated with each other and the world.
Since you clearly love her, i hope you are able to give the process time before making any "permanent" decisions. This must be terribly difficult however.

Hi All,
I know this is a little (or a lot) out of the ordinary for this site, but you all have been a huge support on my WLS journey so far and, well, I need an outlet and some support. I'm not looking for advice or condemnation of my wife, just support and listening ears, and maybe a bridge if anyone on here has gone through something similar. It's a bit of a long story, so thanks for reading.
I met my wife in kindergarten - by the end of September, I'd already proposed. Curiously, she said no. I tried again in December, again, she said no. In all, I think I proposed to her 8 times before we had finished second grade, I asked her out throughout middle and high school, and then, during her senior year of college, after having been best friends for most of our lives, she finally said yes. My dreams came true.
Our marriage has been wonderful, she always has been and always will be my best friend. But sex was never particularly satisfying - I loved it, but knew she wasn't getting much out of it and wasn't attracted to me sexually. It was hard, but our relationship was well worth it. She wasn't gay, we thought, she may not have been attracted to me, but she wasn't attracted physically to anyone. Maybe she was asexual.
Two months ago, we decided together she should pursue counselling to help her work through her own sexuality, to help her know if she was asexual, or repressing her sexuality as the result of some childhood trauma that I won't get into, or something else altogether. We put all sex and physical intimacy on hold to give her the space to go through her process. It was hard, sex is very important to me, but worth it. I never really imagined that what happened last night would come.
Last night she said she wanted to give me an update on her process. "Smye," she said. "I wanted to let you know that in the last few weeks I've felt some stirrings of sexual attraction for the first time and it's scared me really badly. But it's absolutely been happening."
HELL YES, I thought. FINALLY!
Then came the bomb. "And I want you to know, Smye, it's only been towards women. I'm not going to put a label on it yet, I'd give anything to have attraction to you, and maybe I still will. But so far I'm only attracted to women."
S***, S***, S***. I love her, she's still my best friend. And I'm thankful as hell that there's no affair going on to deal with.
I wouldn't trade the 7 years we've had as man and wife so far for anything. And I know she still loves me as much as ever. But it hurts like hell, I don't have a clue what's next, but the research I've (perhaps foolishly done) suggests that only 1/6 of mixed-orientation marriages survive more than 2 years after disclosure. I don't want to lose my wife, I don't want to lose my best friend. But, even if magically she wakes up tomorrow and is attracted to me as the one man she finds attractive, the marriage I thought I had is dead. No matter what happens, I know I need to grieve that.
And I've reached out to the straight spouse network. But while I'm waiting to hear back, having no clue what's next or how I'll even survive the next 10 minutes, I know I need to tell someone and come out of my own closet, so to speak. Has anyone else here been through something similar? Or do you have words of support? I do NOT want "it's god's will" or "it'll be okay" or "it all happens for a reason" etc, nor condemnation of my wife, my marriage, etc. I trust her implicitly, know that this blindsided her as much as it did me, and know too that our marriage was/is based on an incredible friendship that still exists. So don't go hating.
Neither do I want advice. I don't have a clue what it is I'm asking for exactly, but I hurt like hell, I'm terrified, and I know I ought to reach out to keep myself sane. Thanks!
EDIT - PLEASE READ BEFORE REPLYING:
To everyone, thank you again for your support! This is still very much a work in progress and I will be keeping everyone here up to date - for my own therapy if nothing else. A quick note though before lending me your love and support (unless you just want to say 'I hear you, I love you, here are some digital hugs, and take care/let us know if you need anything' - then go for it.)
I HIGHLY recommend you read the entire thread before posting yourself, I know how therapeutic this has been for me. I've received several PM's from folks about how your responses have helped them and/or given them grace for a loved one they didn't previously understand and even one from a person who is considering whether or not to come out to his/her partner him/her-self. And there's also the selfish reason I'd like you to read it all first - the few responses I've gotten that have felt more hateful towards Mrs. Smye and, despite the authors' intentions, hateful towards me and my choices as a result could, I think, have been prevented had the author had the entire up-to-date picture.

When I started my journey back in December, my weight was at an all-time high of 259 lbs. I weighed 242.5 pounds on surgery day, June 26. As of this morning's weigh-in, I'm at 207!
I'm down 52 pounds overall. I have a hard time seeing the difference when I look in the mirror, but when I saw these pictures of my Grandma and I (6 months ago vs. 1 week ago), it really hit me. I look and feel so much better! Gram's also lost a few pounds herself. I have a long way to go yet, but I couldn't be happier with the results. Thanks to all the great people on this forum for the wisdom, advice, and laughs! You are all the best!

Thank you! I feel awesome, which is even better! :-)

So after 22 months, losing 155 pounds, reaching my "dream goal" weight of 125 pounds and healing from my Tummy Tuck and panniculectomy, I took some before/after pics that I feel really embody the new me. It's been such an amazing journey, and I can honestly say that the change has been from the inside out, thanks to some hard emotional work with my therapist, dealing with the "eating issues" that really were not about food at all.
This journey has been absolutely amazing, and while the recovery from the TT was WAY harder than I expected, I wouldn't change any of it for the world. I Think my journey is complete now for the most part. I am waiting on insurance approval for an arm lift, and I was told I would hear by the end of June, so that is the only other thing that could possible make me feel any better physically.
And now that my TT is mostly healed (though i'll be sore for several more months) I'm back to running now, which emotionally makes me feel so much more grounded. It is my meditation.
Anyway....I just thought I would post this here for anyone coming on the "success stories" board to see if the surgery is right for them or could help them. I can tell you that for me, it has provided me the opportunity to make some changes I wasn't able to make before and I'm way happy with the results!
So here are my almost 2-year post op (post TT) before and after pics.

This week I walked my dog down to the small public beach along the beautiful St. Croix river. Kids are back in school so it was a very peaceful morning down there. I sat down on a half buried log to enjoy the view. I was watching some fishing boats go by when I realized that I was hugging my knees to my chest. What? I was astounded that I just naturally did that without thinking about it and that it was comfortable. Six months ago I couldn't/wouldn't have done that. Hurrah for that NSV! I was tickled pink as they say.

Hi there! I wanted to post a thread to all of you who are still out there wondering if this is the right thing to do. A few weeks ago I was one of you. I was still asking myself if I really should have the surgery. I just wanted to let you know how I feel now, almost 3 weeks out.
IT WAS THE BEST THING I COULD HAVE EVER DONE FOR MYSELF!
Yes, I had the blues the first week or so, and the liquid diet has been the bane of my existance. But, I have to tell you, when you can visibly see the weight just dropping when you used to struggle so hard to even maintain a steady weight before - it's worth it.
I also used to suffer from chronic fatigue. I would go to bed at 9pm, struggle to wake up at 5 am and drag myself around all day.
I HAVE SO MUCH ENERGY NOW! Already!!
I can pop out of bed at 5 am, hop on the elliptical, and I am full of energy ALL DAY LONG!
I feel so alive!
So I just wanted to tell you, if you are still having doubts - not even three weeks out and I'm so happy I could cry.
~♥

please forgive me
i've been keeping a secret from all you wonderful people
i had a FACE LIFT
June 25th (5.5 weeks ago!!)
i was soooo scared
i thought long and hard
back and forth before making this hard decision
if someone has a bad/looking? experience with a TT that is awful
but no needs to see the appearance of the tummy
if your face gets screwed up - you are stuck
(doctor told me a i would look like he PUNCHED) me in the face (a bunch of times )
would have had to buy a zillion paper bags !!!!
i've always had a "turkey" neck
wanted this surgery for a long time
didn't want to splurge with money
i thought i wasn't worthy
please don't yell - that's how i felt
having lost over 100 lbs, i decided the heck with it!!!!
"i'm worth it"
my PCP suggested a plastic surgeon
i met with him - he seemed good, very nice too
i then saw 2 others plastic surgeons
they seemed fine too (just as good)
since my doc recommended the first surgeon
i decided to go with him
i have a "pretty" good new looking body since my weight loss
i wanted to go all the way and fix my face too
the neck was the MAIN thing i wanted to get fixed
at 61 year YOUNG, i have some wrinkles too
few wrinkles gone would be a plus
told me i would look like he PUNCHED) me in the face (a bunch of times )
lots of black and blue marks
teeny one under my eye
most coloration was on the sides of my face
and behind my neck
not as bad as i expected
improving day by day, feeling a little better
didn't go out for about 3.5 weeks
didn't want to scare little kids at the grocery store
the first two days PO were very painful
i always have problems/with side effects from anesthesia
i act a little delusional after recovery room (upset, not knowing where i was)
yelling, bunch of stuff
hubby said i was talking weird
and i was talking sooo much (what else is new? )
doc said after 3 months of "settling"/face
he could do a "tweek" here or there if we decided
no extra charge of course
he does a little touch up sometimes
in his office with local anesthisa
don't know if i'll need it
at times i'll use my silly comment
"i'm cute as a button"
now guess what
I'm CUTER than a button
I never regretted having the sleeve (no problems ever )
now.........
i will never regret having the face lift
CONGRATS to ME
kathy

Congrats!!!! Have a safe flight!!!! Come back and let's us know how u are doing...and good luck!!!

Hi All, I had VSG June 11th, just wanted to know how you guys are doing frustration, successes, etc..
I had my first doctors visit on July 9th doc was pleased that I had lost 9lbs from surgery said I was on track said I should exercise and take it easy and add more foods to my diet. I am down 30lbs now from starting weight. Doc said I should be losing about 15 -25 lb a month.
Still can't eat salad gives me the bubble guts. I am able to eat broccoli which pre surgery gave me gas.
I eat a lot of chicken, baked, roasted, and chicken salads.
Just started with a new gym and really just getting started. I am looking forward to my transformation.

Agree with @@OutsideMatchInside and @BLERDgirl. If you are feeling hunger at this point and it isn't just head hunger you will have to dig deep to find the willpower.
Get back to basics and make sure you are taking in enough fluids. Dehydration is possibly causing your hunger and the Snacks you are turning to are all salty which would dehydrate you. No more bad choices in those Snacks. Get healthy snacks such as cheese sticks, etc.
The great thing is you have had success so you know you can do this. You haven't caused permanent damage so you CAN turn this around!
Look back at your meal plan and see where you can get back to what worked for you. Therapy might not be a bad idea since you turned back to food for solace.
Absolutely talk to your NUT about what has happened. That is his/her role in your success is to help you. Don't wait until your one year to do it, make that appointment now to speak with them.
You can definitely do this!! We all will make mistakes and good for you for coming here to ask for help! Good luck!!

Full liquids are still liquids and they pass right through. You should not rely n restriction to see when you are full when you get to introduce foods. Measure everything so you don't over eat. Good luck!

Well I was sleeved June 29th 2015. I went from a tight 44 jeans to wearing a 38 today. I have to give away so much things. I will hopefully get clearance for the gym Tuesday. I wish I would have done this year's ago.

I was sleeved on May 5,2015. Down 75 pounds. I would love to see everyone's transformation photos!

I have no repercussions when I eat more, and I can eat more than before at 9 months post op. But only on some days. I just choose not to eat that much more because of my fear of gaining weight and going back into my old habits. I am so fortunate because i really don't like bread that much and I try to avoid it. I have chosen not to eat pasta's and rice also. I am working on fighting my head hunger. I really don't need that much food to survive. It's just a habit that I have and an irrational thoughts that I want more food, even when i am full sitting with the plate in front of me. Now when I have a small portion in front of me, I am now stopping when I'm full and discarding the left overs. Fighting the belief that I have to clean my plate. It is a battle but with developing new habits, I will over come that.

I didn't read all of the posts above so hopefully i'm repeating anything. I don't think it really matters. Every surgeon is different. Say you have two surgeons who both use the 32. One surgeon might make it a "tight" 32 where he staples as close to the bougie as he can, while the other uses it more as a guide. The size of your stomach also depends on YOU. If you are tall you're stomach is more likely to be longer... so you're sleeve will be a bit bigger.
Also, the difference between them is literally millimeters. Someone posted a picture a long time ago that showed the size, and it was the difference between a pencil, a pen, and a thin highlighter or something like that.
My surgeon used a 42. He explained though that he makes a "tight" 42 where he goes right up against the bougie and then he over-sews as well. I am 8 months out and I can eat 2-3 oz of Protein.
I don't think it makes a significant when it comes to the amount you lose. Each person is individual. I highly suggest you go with your gut. Go with the surgeon that makes you feel the most safe and comfortable.

IMHO, and I am a "40"... I defer to my surgeon. I want him to do it right, and of the two of us, he's the only one awake.
So, I don't KNOW if "40" is good or bad for me. But I can't get a "36" or "32" now, so I'll play with the cards I am delt!

Look at the reviews for sugar-free Gummy Bears on Amazon......and then give her some in the morning. She will have cramps and diarrhea in a few hours, probably in time to ruin her car.

Where she works at I will pay her a visiti

I'm a manager. That's 100% unacceptable. I'd have her a$$ dragged in to HR. Go file a complaint and let them deal with her. If she relatiates, she will lose her job. (can you tell I have no patience for shallow people?)
Or, you could simply ask her, exaclty what is the "easy way"? I'd love to hear all about it - you must be doing it.